Lukaku on song as Man United overpower Everton

MANCHESTER UNITED kept pace with rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table yesterday as they beat Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford.

Antonio Valencia, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Romelu Lukaku (pictured) – against his old club – and Anthony Martial with a late penalty scored the goals to move United alongside City with identical records after five games.

Chelsea lost ground on the top two as they were held to a 0-0 draw by, with David Luiz sent off late on.

United made the perfect start with the first goal on four minutes, Valencia providing an unstoppable finish with a sweetly-timed effort.

Everton were well in the game until Mkhitaryan capitalised on a mistake by Ashley Williams to make it 2-0 on 83 minutes.

Former Everton striker Lukaku, who moved to Old Trafford in the off season, made it seven goals in seven games since his switch, with the third one minute from the end of normal time.

And Martial put an added gloss on the scoreline with the fourth in injury time, converting from the spot after Morgan Schneiderlin had handled the ball.

A five-goal win would have put United ahead of City on goal difference.

At Stamford Bridge the hosts were frustrated by a determined Arsenal side, who had the better chances to win it.

Chelsea still climbed to third while the Gunners, who had a goal ruled out for offside and hit the post through Aaron Ramsey, remain 12th.

“It was a good, open game with both teams trying to win,” Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said.

“Every game against Arsenal is always very tough, we knew very well what type of game to face. Both teams are great teams, it’s a good draw.”

Ramsey hit the post from close range and Alexandre Lacazette missed from a couple of yards out for Arsenal while Pedro went closest for Chelsea.

Luiz was then sent off for a second booking late on and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said his side might have claimed all three points.

“We were focused and determined,” Wenger said. “We tried to play when we had the ball and we were close to winning the game. With a bit more freedom we would have won the game.”

Arsenal were hammered at Liverpool in their last away game and Wenger was pleased with the mentality of his players, including Alexis Sanchez, who came on in the second half.

“We could have won it. It was an intense game,” he said. “The battle was total. We are not in a transfer period and on the day we played Liverpool that affected us. We are all human beings.” – dpa